ABSTRACT
Risk can be defined by genetic studies, by psychosocial stress factors and, hopefully in the near future, by biological markers. Since researchers are no longer merely interested in the stability of behavior over time, but are interested in antecedent-consequent relations across times of developmental transformation, newer strategies take this into account. From a mental health standpoint, the thinking was that if continuities could be documented, early identification of problems and the institution of ameliorative efforts could take place. Indeed, many health care professionals believed that significant amounts of adult psy-chopathology had its origins in early experience. From a biological viewpoint, development is goal oriented, and for species-important developmental functions there is a strong tendency to get back on a developmental pathway after deficit or perturbation. Longitudinal study is a core strategy, especially with populations at risk for the later development of anxiety disorders.
